Course summary

The Level 4 HNC Year 1 units provide a broad introduction to business and different business functions. This develops and strengthens core skills while preparing you for study at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility. You will gain a wide range of business knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. You will be involved in activities that develop vocational behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in higher education and the workplace. By the end of Level 4 Year 1 HNC, you will have sound knowledge of the basic concepts of leadership and management and be competent in a range of subject-specific skills as well as general skills and qualities relevant to key areas of business. At the end of Level 4 Year 1, you can leave the programme and you will be awarded a HNC (not a HND/HTQ - see below). The Level 5 Year 2 HND units provide knowledge, skills and behaviours aligned to the Occupational Standard (OS) for Operations or Departmental Manager and by completing Level 5 you are awarded a HND that is badged with the Government's new stamp of approval known as a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ). Achieving a HND/HTQ will prepare you to enter employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require responsibility and decision-making, and supports you to aspire to future management roles including the following: Operations Manager; Regional Manager; Divisional Manager; Department Manager and Specialist Managers. The units also prepare you to progress to Level 6 higher education study (i.e. degree level 1 year top up study), including higher apprenticeships and professional body qualifications. In Year 2 HND you will be required to develop and apply your own ideas to your studies, to deal with uncertainty and complexity, to explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation and use both theory and practice in a wide range of business situations. By the end of Level 5, you will have a sound understanding of the principles of leadership and management and will know how to apply those principles more widely in the business world.

This Higher Technical Qualification is approved against occupational standards decided by employers. Learn more about Higher Technical Qualifications.